Head-to-head · OAuth Server Software
Keycloak vs Ory
Keycloak leads on 0 checks, Ory on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreKeycloak · 9.4/10
- Free planonly Ory
Keycloak scores higher on our rubric for oauth server software: 9.4 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #6.
Keycloak is the better fit for broad self-hosted identity deployments. Ory is the better fit for managed or self-hosted identity platforms.
- Keycloak fits best
Broad self-hosted identity deployments
- Ory fits best
Managed or self-hosted identity platforms
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Side by side
| Feature | Keycloak 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | Ory 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #1 in OAuth Server Software | #6 in OAuth Server Software |
| Best for | Broad self-hosted identity deployments | Managed or self-hosted identity platforms |
| Pricing model | Free | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Open source | — |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop, Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, Linux | Web |
| Integrations | 10 integrations | 9 integrations |
| Features Keycloak 0/5 · Ory 0/5 | ||
| OpenID Connect | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| SAML support | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Self-hosting | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Token introspection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Machine-to-machine auth | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Keycloak is an open-source identity and access management server for web applications, REST services, and other applications. It suits organizations that want to operate their own authentication layer across multiple services and… Read the review → |
Ory is an identity and access management platform for customer-facing applications, B2B SaaS products, partners, machines, and AI agents. It combines user identity profiles, passwordless and passkey authentication, MFA, enterprise SSO,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Keycloak — where it wins
- Supports OpenID Connect, OAuth 2.0, and SAML 2.0
- Combines SSO, federation, MFA, and fine-grained authorization
- Runs with VMs, containers, Kubernetes, and OpenShift
Where it doesn't
- Organizations must deploy and manage the server themselves
- SCIM support is preview functionality
- SCIM is disabled by default
Ory — where it wins
- OAuth 2.0, OIDC, SAML SSO, MFA, and SCIM in one stack
- Supports managed cloud, self-hosted, web, API, and embedded deployments
- Fine-grained authorization, adaptive access, and machine-to-machine tokens
Where it doesn't
- Growth pricing is listed at $9,350 annually
- Environment-based plans require careful capacity planning
- Enterprise capabilities are split across multiple deployment options
- Keycloak9.4/10 · Open source
A broad, self-hosted IAM server for standards-based authentication and authorization.
Visit KeycloakFull verdict → - Ory8.8/10 · Free plan
A flexible OAuth and identity stack for teams choosing cloud, self-hosting, or both.
Visit OryFull verdict →
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- OpenIddict vs Ory
All OAuth server software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





